Law Offices of Douglas R. Penn, LLC

06/05/2026

Quote of the day: (Dorcas Int'l Institute of Rhode Island, et al v. USCIS, et al, 6/5/26)

From the decision:

“In ruling on these motions, the Court is reminded of a line often repeated in discussions around immigration policy: If people wish to immigrate to the United States, they ought to ‘follow the law’ and ‘do things the right way.’ This case serves as a perfect example of immigrants doing just that. Plaintiffs and their members have observed the legal processes that Congress enacted by statute and USCIS promulgated by regulation so that they may one day obtain immigration benefits. They have, for example, filed the appropriate paperwork, paid the required filing fees, submitted to the requested biometrics collections, and attended the necessary in-person interviews. Even so, Plaintiffs and their members are stuck waiting, for months on end, for benefit requests that USCIS refuses to adjudicate.

“But the rule of law has to apply to everyone equally and, as evident here, USCIS has neither ‘followed the law’ nor ‘done things the right way.’ Indeed, the agency has violated the very immigration laws that Congress has charged it with administering, as well as the administrative laws that govern the agency’s actions. In enacting its latest immigration policies, USCIS: claims statutory and regulatory authority that it does not possess; makes decisions without the reasoned explanations that it must provide; acts without regard for the reliance interests of applicants that it must consider; and justifies its actions with pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making. In legal terms that means USCIS’s actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.

“Accordingly, as set forth below, each of the Challenged Policies that USCIS enacted—the Benefits Hold Policy, the Global Asylum Hold Policy, the Comprehensive Re-Review Policy, and the Country-Specific Factors Policy—are declared unlawful and are vacated and set aside.”

06/04/2026

Did you know the government does not provide free attorneys for civil denaturalization cases? Many naturalized citizens are losing their U.S. citizenship simply because they face the DOJ without a lawyer. Never navigate a federal investigation alone. Read the latest updates here and call our firm to secure the aggressive defense you need.

President Trump's vow to revoke citizenship worries immigrant advocates, legal scholars and naturalized Americans — but so far it's proving harder to do than the rhetoric suggests.

05/30/2026

Preparing for an Asylum Merits Interview requires gathering original identification, travel records, and certified English translations for all supporting documents. Applicants must also bring necessary interpreters alongside any spouse or children included as derivatives to ensure a successful interview. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-and-asylum/asylum/preparing-for-your-affirmative-asylum-interview

05/28/2026

Immigration policy is shifting rapidly this month. While USCIS initially signaled a near total end to routine domestic green card adjustments, the agency has just announced critical exceptions for certain dual intent visa holders. Navigating these vague exemptions requires highly strategic legal planning. Read the latest updates here and contact our firm for a consultation.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/insight/uscis-shifts-green-card-process-abroad-spares-many-h-1b-holders/gm-GM6DB40071

05/23/2026

If you entered on a K‑1 visa and married your U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days, you may be eligible to adjust status to a Green Card holder by filing Form I‑485. USCIS guidance explains required forms, admissibility rules, and conditional‑residence requirements — consult an immigration attorney to evaluate waivers, documentation, and timing. https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-eligibility/green-card-for-fiancee-of-us-citizen #

05/21/2026

Expanded expedited removal policies may affect how certain immigration cases are processed in the United States. Learn more about immigrant rights, expedited removal procedures, and the importance of understanding available legal protections.

https://forumtogether.org/article/expanded-expedited-removal-what-it-means-what-do-know/

05/16/2026

Employment-based green cards are capped at 140,000 per year, leading to massive backlogs based on your preference category (EB-1 to EB-5) and country of origin. With wait times this long, your application must be flawless. Read the breakdown here, and call us to secure your future.

Current U.S. immigration law provides several paths for foreign workers to enter the United States for employment purposes on a temporary or permanent basis. This fact sheet provides basic information about how the employment-based U.S. immigration system works.

05/14/2026

A green card and U.S. citizenship both offer the ability to live and work in the United States, but they come with different rights, responsibilities, and long-term benefits. Learn more about the key differences and what each status may mean for your future.

Unsure about choosing between green card and citizenship? This guide will show you everything you need to make an informed decision about your future.

05/11/2026

Bringing family members to the U.S. through a family-sponsored visa involves specific eligibility rules, forms, and documentation. Learn more about the steps involved and what to expect during the process.

Wondering how to sponsor a parent, spouse, or child to live with you? Here’s everything you need to know about family-sponsored visas, minus the legal jargon.

05/08/2026

This is a good article to read. As a backgrounder, the Board of Immigration Appeals is one of the administrative appeals units that address immigration issues. It is part of the Department of Justice. The immigration trial courts are also part of the Department of Justice. This is also why you will periodically see the Attorney General spontaneously reopen an immigration case and make a completely new decision on his or her own. They are not truly independent courts the way we usually think of trial courts.

The graphic comparing the percentage of cases favoring DHS versus the immigrant is very good. You can see very easily how often the government agrees with the government's decision.

President Trump has slashed the number of people on the Board of Immigration Appeals and stacked it with his appointees, tightening the due process available for immigrants, an NPR analysis shows.